41st GAP/AGA Senior Coal Scuttle: Huntsville

Huntsville successfully defends Senior Coal Scuttle title

DALLAS, Pa. – Jason Barkley was driving in his car when his phone rang.

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It was a last-second call asking to play for Huntsville Golf Club in the 41st GAP/AGA Senior Coal Scuttle. 

Barkley, the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Golf Association, said yes even though his game hasn’t been where he’s wanted it to be.

“I got here early today and was able to find something on the driving range,” Barkley, 55, of Kutztown, Pa., said. “I didn’t play in the Senior Club Championship so I wasn’t on the team and I didn’t have a chance to get on the team. I don’t know how many people they called before me but I am happy I got a chance to play.”

Barkley, aided by six birdies and a home-course advantage, led Huntsvile to its second-consecutive Senior Coal Scuttle title Thursday at Huntsville (par 72, 6,267 yards).

Olde Homestead Golf Club’s Dave Blichar took individual honors with a round of even-par 72. Barkley finished in a tie for second at 73.

Huntsville’s team score of 311 (23 over) was good enough for a three-shot victory over Elmhurst Country Club. Santo Lafoca (79), Marty Wilbur (79), James Tressler (80) and Tony Gallis (88) made up the rest of the winning team.

The best four of five scores count to the team championship.

Barkley’s card would be considered psychotic by many golf talking heads. Six birdies, two bogeys, a double and triple bogey. His front nine had four birdies and the double.

Sitting greenside in two on No. 11 (par 4, 404 yards), Barkley walked away with a triple bogey and then bogeyed Nos. 12 (par 5, 471 yards) and 13 (par 4, 410 yards).

“The key to success here at Huntsville is driving the ball well and rolling in putts on the tricky greens,” Barkley said. “The course really punishes bad shots. If you can hit the ball straight off the tee you will have chances to score.”

Barkley settled in and played his final five holes in 2 under to finish at 73, highlighted by a steady 9-iron to 10 feet for birdie on No. 17 (par 3, 161 yards).

“I joined here 22 years ago because of friendships I made playing tournaments with folks who were members here,” Barkley said. “I don’t play a ton of rounds here but I love being here. It is an awesome feeling to get the job done.”

Lafoca was a part of the squad that won last year at Fox Hill. He said the conditions were tough because of the cool temperatures and steady wind, but being able to compete at home made it easier.

“I was telling the guys we were in between great weather and horrid weather,” Lafoca, 59, of Harveys Lake, Pa., said. “But at Huntsville, the camaraderie is spectacular. We have a lot of great guys and you can get a game any day of the week. It is a family here.”

The good news is that they will have a chance at home for a three-peat in 2024. The winning team of the Senior Coal Scuttle hosts the event the next year.

“It is an awesome feeling to win this back-to-back years,” Lafoca, a Huntsville member of 25 years, said. “Some of our best players couldn’t play but we still put together a great team. The guys were definitely tournament ready and had the perseverance and patience to win. I am happy for these guys.”

GAP
Celebrating Amateur Golf since 1897, GAP, also known as the Golf Association of Philadelphia, is the oldest regional or state golf association in the United States. It serves as the principal ruling body of amateur golf in its region. The Association’s 340 Member Clubs and 100,000 individual members are spread across Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and Maryland. The GAP’s mission is to promote, preserve and protect the game of golf.